GCB / ECC launches Speaker’s T20 C / Shipping Club
– tourney due to start on April 3
By Zaheer Mohamed
National Assembly Spokesperson and President of Everest Cricket Club Manzoor Nadir (seating center), GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie (seated 2nd from right) with sponsors and team representatives.
Kaieteur News – Yesterday the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in conjunction with Everest Cricket Club launched the T20 Club Speaker Championship which will start on April 3.
The tournament aimed at promoting talent for this format is considered another positive step by the GCB and will be used as a ‘feeder’ to the local franchise system.
The competition is made up of 20 teams and is expected to be hotly contested as clubs will compete for the country’s best 1st T20 Division title.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in the GCB Boardroom, National Assembly Spokesperson and Everest Cricket Club President Manzoor Nadir said the National Assembly had a program to promote the duties of MPs and build democracy among people. “We have an annual program to work with children and a youth parliament every year. There are two versions of the youth parliament; One for secondary school students and the second for university students. These are all initiatives in which parliament is engaged in furthering the objective of building a democratic culture among our people. “
He reminded Nadir that the state’s law-making function is called Parliament and that includes the National Assembly and the President.
He noted that sport is one of the most effective media in bringing messages to people and wants to work more among sports personalities. “I see a regional club competition evolving. Sport can do much to bring cohesion among the people. ”He noted that the cost of running the tournament was close to G $ 15,000,000.
GCB Secretary and hopeful CWI President Anand Sanasie expressed gratitude to the sponsors and said it had been some time now that they had been planning to hold a national competition. “Sponsorship is one of the biggest issues and the GCB is always ready to partner with every opportunity we have for cricket to play across Guyana. Today fills another slot in our cricket calendar that we can see repeated every year as the tournament grows. ”
“I guess clubs will understand that you can also get benefits in the future as you develop players. We will host games in a safe environment and no fans will be allowed in accordance with the wrap-around guidelines. There is great interest and there will be great competition. ”He praised Nadir and the ECC and said they were looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership. Sanasie also congratulated the teams for taking the necessary steps to secure their participation in the tournament and feels the tournament is expected to raise the Guyana Cricket bar and domestic cricket in the region.
Orson Ferguson, Chief Marketing Officer at GTT said that they believe that sport plays an important role in the development of the nation especially the young people. “Any effort to promote sport we will support. We look forward to intense competition in a very responsible way. “
Latoya Garraway of Digital Media management company Technify said they were privileged to be part of the tournament and praised the organizers for the initiative. He added that they were looking forward to a successful competition and had briefly shared with the audience the scope of their responsibility for the tournament. “Managing the tournament’s online presence meant live scores and streaming of competitions, Sponsorship and team information and much more available at Cricket.gy.”
Troy Peters Banks DIH Banks stated that they were delighted to be a part of this tournament. “Banks DIH has always been supportive of sport but has a special place for cricket.” He wished the teams well and asked everyone to be safe.
Games will be played nationwide at locations yet to be named. Teams will compete for over $ 1,000,000 in prizes.
The teams are divided into groups of five and the top two teams from each group will move on. Albion, Rose Hall, Canal No. Two SC, Cornelia Ida and Everest CC are drawn in group A. Group B includes AS, Mc Gill SC, Malteenose SC, Bel Air and New Wales. Group C includes Bel Vue, CDC, Bacchus Bulls, Tucber Park and West Berbice. Lusignan, GYO Regal, GCC, Number One Star Rising Canal and Police are in group D.
Sponsors include: Banks DIH, GTT, Eniath Printers TNT Virtual, George Subraj Foundation NY Virtual, MD Assuria, Techlify and Stophy Trophy.